the World Gold Council just published a report discussing the next three decades for gold – Gold 2048. Based on the opinions of several industry experts, the document discusses where key trends may lead the precious commodity and the industry:

The expanding middle class in China and India, combined with broader economic growth, will have a significant impact on gold demand.

Use of gold across energy, healthcare and technology is changing rapidly. Gold’s position as a material of choice is expected to continue and evolve over the coming decades.

Mobile apps for gold investment, which allow individuals to buy, sell, invest and gift gold will develop rapidly in India and China.

Environmental, social and governance issues will play an increasing role in re-shaping mining production methods.

The gold mining industry will have to grapple with the challenge of producing similar levels of gold over the next 30 years to match the volume it has historically delivered.

The best way to avoid getting wet in tomorrow’s economy is to listen to the weatherman, reading experts’ opinions to form your own. The report is available at the World Gold Council’s website.

IADC’s review of the global dredging market, Dredging in Figures, is published annually. Released in September 2017, this edition focuses on the international dredging industry’s revenue for 2016.

The report (just click the link) highlights essential information about the dredging industry, divided into three sections – Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that includes sustainability, emissions and safety, the drivers of the dredging industry, and the turnover in the open markets of the industry. Statistics presented are based on information from public sources and IADC member companies.

For those that missed it, World Gold Council released a report a few days ago about the gold trends in 2016. World Gold Council report highlights:

2016 was the second best year for ETFs on record. Global demand for gold-backed ETFs and similar products was 531.9t – the highest since 2009. Q4 saw outflows.

The gold price ended the year up 8%. Having risen 25% by the end of September, gold relinquished some of its gains in Q4 following Trump’s conciliatory acceptance speech and the FOMC’s interest rate rise.

2016 saw a 7-year low for jewellery demand.bRising prices for much of the year, regulatory and fiscal hurdles in India and China’s softening economy were key reasons for weakness in the sector.

India’s shock demonetisation policy brought the market to a virtual standstill. An initial rush for gold following the policy announcement came to a swift halt in the ensuing cash crunch.

Synthetic diamonds. The report reiterates standards introduced by CIBJO to clearly distinguish between natural and man-made gems. These essentially were adopted (in general) by the International Standards Organisation in 2015, when it released ISO International Standard 18323 (specifies a set of permitted descriptors for the diamond industry that are designed to be understood by the consumer).

Scanning technologies, created in recent years, enable rough dealers to accurately map the internal inclusions in a stone. The report discuss the ethical implications of such technologies.

CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, describes itself as the “United Nations of the jewellery business,”. It represents the interests of all individuals, organisations and companies earning their livelihoods from jewellery, gemstones and precious metals. It is the oldest international organization in jewellery sector, having originally been established in 1926.

With its membership made up largely by national jewellery trade organizations from more than 40 countries around the world, CIBJO covers the entire jewellery, gemstone and precious metals sectors vertically, from mine to marketplace, and horizontally within each of the component sectors in the various production, manufacturing and trading centres. Most of the international jewellery sector’s leading corporations and service providers are also affiliated to CIBJO through commercial membership.

Portugal has a long tradition in the mining industry (in our European heartland and, during our long and rich History, in other territories in South America, Africa, Asia). Romans mined (gold and other metals, natural stone) in what is now the Portuguese territory and before them the Celts and Phoenicians.

The Portuguese mining industry is now built around three main pillars:

The natural stone sector (with hundreds of active marble, granite and limestone quarries and high quality manufacturing centers – we are the largest per capita natural stone exporter: market research here).

The metals (especially Au and W – in the country’s north and center – and Cu-Zn in VMS Iberian Pyrite Belt – in the south).

Two years ago I was involved in a very interesting tantalum project in the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) – photo gallery here. I have since then followed with attention this metal’s market news (and its idiosyncrasies, being one of the 3TG minerals – subject to control under the conflict minerals framework).

USGS just published a report on the evolution of this metal’s market and production structure and origin in the last 15 years. It’s well worth reading (thanks to USGS for publishing the report) – you can get it here.

I am currently in Angola to update our report on the Angolan diamond industry. Drop me a line if you are in Luanda during the next couple of days and would like to discuss exploration or mining projects.

The report will be available the first quarter 0f 2016; drop me a line if you are interested in it.

Are you interested in a specific topic?

Have an opinion on the Angolan diamond industry, its legislation, potential and projects ? How do you see Angolan diamond industry five years from now? Is PlanaGeo an useful project? Drop me a line: luischambel@sinese.pt

The launch of The Diamond Insight Report 2014 opened up the diamond industry to a wider audience and identified trends and opportunities for the industry to fulfil its growth potential.

One of the areas highlighted in last year’s report was how the diamond sector is influenced by seasonal demand patterns and industry cycles. And, to some extent, this effect can be seen when comparing performance in 2014 with what we have seen so far in 2015.

Strong consumer sales of diamond jewellery over the end of year holiday season in 2013 led to strong pipeline restocking demand at the start of 2014 and the positive demand environment continued through most of the year.

Consumer demand reached a record high, rough diamond demand was strong and this set the industry up for a positive year.

The report is full of information, well written and designed. It’s always worth reading.